Master of Interior Architecture Program

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Master of Interior Architecture Program

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Course Title: Master of Interior Architecture Program

Degree Offered (in full): Master of Interior Architecture (abbr.): M.I.A.

Responsible Organization

The Interior Architecture Program, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University.

Overview

The program emphasizes high standard graduates responsive to the varied needs for professional interior architects in contemporary society and be able to contribute constructively to national art and culture. The program is for those who would like to fully develop their capabilities in maintaining the highest ethical standards, in order to be both creative and socially responsible.

This professional interior architecture program intends for students to develop their knowledge and capacities specialized in the fields of interior design, exhibition design, and interior architecture. All applicants must graduate with a bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture or related fields.

Objectives

The Master of Interior Architecture Program is a program offering an advanced professional degree in interior architecture in continuation of the Bachelor of Interior Architecture Program. The objectives of the curriculum are as follows:

1. To produce highly skilled interior architects with the international standard to serve the profession. 2. To produce competent interior architects who are capable of doing useful research in order to continually

develop the profession both in and out of the academic institutions.

3. To produce competent and ethical interior architects to be capable of becoming leaders of their profession responsibly and contributing to the development of the country.

Year of Operation

The Program began in the Academic Year 2007.

Applicants’ Qualifications

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from the Interior Architecture Program of Thammasat University or from other leading universities in Thailand or abroad of which the university approves, or have graduated with a major in Interior Architecture, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50. A lower GPA is accepted with at least two years experience or equivalent in any field related to interior architecture.

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2. An applicant who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fields concerned with Design or Interior Design must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 or at least two years relevant experience as specified by the Graduate Studies Committee.

3. Other qualifications as specified in Article 8 of Thammasat University’s Regulations for Graduate Studies, 1998.

Admissions

1. A successful applicant must pass a written examination and an interview, with the exception of students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Interior Architecture Program of Thammasat University within a period of one year.

2. The applicant must submit the official score of one of the following English language tests: TU-GET, TOEFL (official or institutional), IELTS and the score must be within two years from the date of which it was issued to the date of application for admission to the program.

Teaching System

1. This program is conducted only in daytime classes.

2. The regular academic year is based on two semesters per annum. Each semester consists of 16 weeks.

3. All courses are taught on a “credits” basis. 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of lecture or 2 laboratory hours or 3 practicum hours per week in the regular semester.

4. This program is contained in the following study plans.

Plan A, Stream A2: Plan A, Stream A2 consists of course work and a thesis.

Plan B: Plan B consists of courses work, a comprehensive examination, and independent study. 5. Conditions of study.

5.1 An applicant who has not graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture is required by the Graduate Studies Committee to take foundation courses whose credits will not be counted in the program. These courses include IA 501 Fundamental Interior Design and IA 502 Interior Materials and Construction in the first session. Students must pass these courses with a “S” (Satisfactory) grade; however, the obtained credits will not reflect the cumulative GPA.

5.2 Thesis (Plan A, Stream A2)

(1) A student can register for a thesis after he or she has studied for at least 2 regular semesters or has gained 18 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

(2) A student must pass a foreign language test with a “P” grade before he or she is allowed to defend the thesis.

(3) The Dean will appoint thesis committees of at least 3 persons to be the thesis advisors, a Thammasat University lecturer and/or an external qualified person. The thesis advisor must not be the chairman of the committee and must attend every thesis defending session.

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5.3 Comprehensive Examination (Specific Plan B)

(1) A student must have completed all credits required for graduation and earned a GPA of at least 3.00.

(2) A student must pass the comprehension examination with a “P “ (Pass) grade within 3 attempts; otherwise he/she will be removed from the program enrollment and results of every examination will be recorded.

5.4 Independent Study (Plan B)

(1) A student can register for an independent study course after completing at least two regular semesters and gaining 18 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

(2) A student must pass a foreign language test with a “P” (Pass) grade before being allowed to defend an independent study.

5.5 A student must pass the foreign language test (English) with a “P” (Pass) grade as required by Thammasat University’s Regulations on Graduate Studies 1996.

Duration of Study

The duration of study must not be less than four regular semesters and not exceed eight regular semesters.

Registration Requirements

A student must enroll in courses and/or register for a thesis totaling at least 6 credits but not more than 12 credits per semester. If a student, for any circumstances, cannot register for a regular semester, he/ she must file a request for the leave approval for that semester, according with Thammasat University’s Regulations on Graduate Studies.

Graduates Evaluation

1. Academic Performance is evaluated as follows:

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F

Equivalent 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.00 0.00 2. Only credit courses with grade of “S” (Satisfactory) or at least “C” will be counted towards graduation. However, the GPA and cumulative GPA must be computed for a D or F in any particular course.

3. The thesis is given a grade of “S” (Satisfactory) or “U” (Unsatisfactory). The thesis with S is equivalent to passing and cannot be counted towards graduation.

4. The foundation study, the comprehensive examination, and the foreign language test are given a grade of “P” (Pass) or “N” (Not pass). These cannot be counted towards graduation.

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Plan A, Stream A2 Completion of studies includes:

1. Earning 39 credits according to the curriculum. They are consisting of 9 credits in core courses, 12 credits in elective courses, 6 credits in general elective courses, and 12 credits for the thesis. 2. Having a cumulative GPA not lower than 3.00.

3. Receiving a “P” in the Foreign Language Test (English): TU-GET 550, TOEFL iBT 80, or IELTS 6.5. 4. Receiving a “S” from the thesis committees appointed by the Faculty of Architecture and Planning.

The committees shall consist of the faculty instructors and one external qualified person. The student must also submit the completed thesis book to Thammasat University as per the university’s

regulation.

5. Acceptance for publication in a journal or an academic publication or presentation in conference proceedings of the thesis or a portion thereof.

6. Acting in accordance with the regulations of Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, including paying all debts or bonds with this university.

Plan B Completion of studies includes:

1. Earning 39 credits according to the curriculum. They are consisting of 9 credits in core courses, 12 credits in elective courses, 12 credits in general elective courses, and 6 credits in independence study.

2. Having a cumulative GPA not lower than 3.00.

3. Receiving a P in the Foreign Language Test (English): TU-GET 550, TOEFL iBT 80, or IELTS 6.5. 4. Receiving a “P” in the comprehensive test.

5. Acceptance of an independent study paper for publication in a journal or an academic publication or be presented in conference proceedings.

6. Acting in accordance with the regulations of Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, including paying all debts or bonds with this university.

Expected Student Enrollment

Expected student enrollment in the next five years is listed in the table below.

Academic year Student 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Plan A, Stream A2 15 30 30 30 30 Plan B 15 30 30 30 30 Total 30 60 60 60 60 Graduates 30 30 30 30

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Facilities

The Faculty of Architecture and Planning Building has approximately 15,000 sq.m in area whose physical plant and educational facilities consist of administration offices, classrooms and seminar rooms, design workshops, laboratories, library, meeting rooms, study areas, and other various research facilities.

Libraries

At present, Thammasat University has various books, journals, and documents at the Pridi Banomyong Library, Puey Library, Thammasat Library, Rangsit Campus to provide outstanding academic services. The Resource Information Center, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, has various textbooks in the field of Interior Architecture as well as other architecturally related textbooks. In 2006, there were 4,000 volumes, in addition to approximately 1,000 volumes of architectural journals. Furthermore, there are approximately 300 audiovisual aids. The library plans to increase its holdings by 10% yearly.

Budget

The expenditure is covered by the annual income of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University. The estimated operational costs per student are approximately 90,000 - 100,000 baht per year.

The Curriculum

Students to be conferred the Master of Interior Architecture Degree must achieve a total of 39 credits.

Number of Credits

Interior Architectural Design Exhibition Design Management Type of Courses

Plan A, Stream A2 Plan B Plan A, Stream A2 Plan B

1. Core Courses 9 9 9 9 2. Elective Courses 12 12 12 12 3. General Courses 6 12 6 12 4. Thesis 12 12 5. Independent Study 6 6 Total Requirements 39 39 39 39 Plan A, Stream A2

1. Core Courses 9 credits

2. Elective Courses 12 credits

3. General Elective Courses 6 credits

4. Thesis 12 credits

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Plan B

1. Core Courses 9 credits

2. Elective Courses 12 credits

3. General Elective Courses 12 credits

4. Independence Study 6 credits

Total Requirements 39 credits

Curriculum

General Courses 6 credits

Students who must take the following courses based on the consideration of the Graduate Studies Committee. Basic Foundation Courses (Non-Credit) for Both Plan A Stream A2 and Plan B.

IA 501 Fundamental Interior Design 3 credits IA 502 Interior Materials and Construction 3 credits

Core Courses for Both Plan A, Stream A2 and Plan B

9 credits

IA 601 Research in Interior Architecture 3 credits IA 602 Seminar in Interior Architecture 3 credits IA 603 Planning in Design Business 3 credits

3. Elective

Courses

12 credits

3.1 Option 1: Interior Architectural Design

IA 611 Interior Architectural Design – Research 1 3 credits IA 612 Advanced Building Systems 3 credits

IA 613 Lighting Design 3 credits

IA 711 Interior Architectural Design – Research 2 3 credits

3.2 Option 2: Exhibition Design Management

IA 621 Exhibition Design - Research 1 3 credits IA 622 Communication for Exhibition Design 3 credits IA 623 Illumination for Exhibition Design 3 credits IA 721 Exhibition Design - Research 2 3 credits

4. General Elective Courses

Plan A, Stream A2 6 Credits Plan B 12 Credits 4.1 Option 1: Interior Architectural Design

IA 741 Advanced CAD 3 credits IA 742 Computers in Project Management 3 credits AR 795 Real Estate Marketing Management 3 credits AR 692 Construction Management 3 credits

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AR 645 Environmental Control Technology 3 credits IA 785 Professional Laws and Regulations for Interior Architecture 3 credits

4.2 Option 2: Exhibition Design Management

IA 761 Set Design 3 3 credits IA 781 Multimedia in Exhibition Design) 3 credits IA 782 Computer Graphic for Exhibition Design) 3 credits IA 783 Presentation Technique for Exhibition Design) 3 credits

Thesis (Plan A, Stream A2)

IA 800 Thesis 12 credits

6. Independent Study (Plan B)

IA 700 Independent Study 1 3 credits IA 701 Independent Study 2 3 credits

Code System of the Courses

The courses offered in the Master of Interior Architecture Program use ‘IA’ as the program code followed by numerical codes of 3 digits. Each of them has a specific meaning as follows:

IA XXX = IA (First Second Third) First Digit Number 0-9 mean Course within a cluster Second digit numbers refer to group or cluster

0 means Core Course

1 means Interior Architecture Design 2 means Exhibition Design Management 3 means Lighting Design

4 means Computer

5 means Interior Architecture 6 means Interior Design 7 means Technology 8 means Exhibition Design

Third digit numbers refer to course level

5 means General Courses

6 means Year 1 in which the courses are offered 7 means Year 2 in which the courses are offered

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Study Program for Master of Interior Architecture Plan A, Stream A2

Option 1: Interior Architectural Design First Year

Fist Semester

IA 601 Research in Interior Architecture 3 credits IA 602 Seminar in Interior Architecture 3 credits

IA 603 Planning in Design Business 3 credits

Total 9 credits

Second Semester

IA 612 Advanced Building Systems 3 credits

Second Year Fist Semester

General Elective Courses 3 credits

Second Semester

IA 800 Thesis 9 credits

Grand Total 39 credits Option 2: Exhibition Design Management

First Year Fist Semester

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Second Semester

IA 621 Exhibition Design - Research 1 3 credits

IA 622 Communication for Exhibition Design 3 credits

IA 623 Illumination the Exhibition Design 3 credits

Second Semester

Grand Total 39 credits Plan B

(Option 1: Interior Architectural Design) First Year

Fist Semester

Second Semester

IA 612 Advanced Building Systems 3 credits

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IA 700 Independent Study 1 3 credits

Second Semester

Grand Total 39 credits Option 2: Exhibition Design Management

First Year Fist Semester

IA 601 Research in Interior Architecture 3 credits

IA 602 Seminar in Interior Architecture 3 credits

Second Semester

IA 622 Communication for Exhibition Design 3 credits

IA 623 Illumination the Exhibition Design 3 credits

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Grand Total 39 credits

Course Description

General Courses

IA501 Fundamental Interior Design 3 credits

This course offers the understanding of the fundamental interior design and its process, including design theories, technical terms, and interior professional presentation techniques. It will introduce students to conduct project analysis, programming, conceptual design, space planning, and design development for commercial projects.

IA502 Interior Materials and Construction 3 credits

This course introduces architectural and interior materials, their specifications, construction techniques, application, and usability. An in-depth study of materials examined in relationship of their functions and appropriateness to various types of space.

Core Courses

IA601 Research in Interior Architecture 3 credits

Prerequisite: none

This course will present the research methods used in interior architecture and, to some extent, related disciplines. The course is designed to introduce students to conducting a research project, creating a competent methodology, collecting data, analyzing the data, interpreting the results, and communicating the findings.

IA602 Seminar in Interior Architecture 3 credits

This seminar course is to expose students to various different types of interior architectural, architectural and urban prominent issues that affect the community, the wider society, and the environment. Theory, research, and application are expressed in relation to interior architecture through various course topics. Special topics may include design and culture, building technology, management, and design and technology. This course executes through collaborative thinking, debates through discussion, and lectures, which will be coordinated by group lecturers.

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IA603 Planning in Design Business 3 credits

This class focuses on the practice of design as a professional business, including the skills required in office management, the marketing of professional services, and client and contractor relationships. It prepares students both for working as a manager of designers and for the entrepreneurs of their design firm.

Elective Courses

Interior Architectural Design

IA611 Interior Architectural Design – Research 1 3 credits

Study and practice in interior design research for the complex design problems. Research analysis methods, statistical analysis technique, and interpretation and result explanation by using computer programs in the process.

IA612 Advanced Building Systems 3 credits

This course provides understanding of building systems. These include air-conditioning, sanitation, irrigation, drainage, wastewater treatment, electrical systems, fire protection, vertical transportation (elevators and escalators) and security systems.

IA613 Lighting Design 3 credits

The course emphasizes designing lighting in interior spaces for commercial buildings and institutional buildings. It addresses understanding the principle of light and exploration of fundamental design components; light, color, form, light sources, and enhancing design with appropriate light levels and control systems in terms of creating mood and atmosphere that responds to interior spaces.

IA711 Interior Architectural Design – Research 2 3 credits

Prerequisite: IA611 Interior Architectural Design – Research 1

This is an advanced design- research course for complex interior architectural design problems emphasizing research methodology. Topics include conducting a design research project, collecting data, analyzing the data, interpreting the results, and then communicating the results.

Exhibition Design Management

IA621 Exhibition Design - Research 1 3 credits

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exhibits, and commercial exhibits, both contemporary and permanent exhibitions, featuring a multidisciplinary design curriculum including studies in exhibition design, lighting, graphics, typography, and electronic media.

IA622 Communication for Exhibition Design 3 credits

Study and practice in all phases of visual communication methods. Imagery and typographic solutions, with an emphasis on two- and three- dimensional design development, when designing visual communications for exhibition purposes.

IA623 Illumination the Exhibition Design 3 credits

The course introduces the role of light in exhibition design topics including illumination of art and text; the relationship between illumination, colour, and human response; light as a facilitator of visual communication.

IA721 Exhibition Design - Research 2 3 credits

Advanced design- research course for complex exhibition design problems emphasizing research methodology topics including conducting a design research project, collecting data, analyzing the data, interpreting the results, and then communicating the results.

General Elective Course

Interior Architectural Design

IA741 Advanced CAD 3 credits

Study and practice in computer programs for interior Design. Topics include 3-dimensional model-making for interior purposes. This study also focuses on 3D design, model simulation, lightings and shade simulation for interior components.

IA742 Computers in Project Management 3 credits

Study and practice of computer programs for project management, introducing software as helping tools to facilitate project design management

AR795 Real Estate Marketing Management 3 credits

A study of real estate projects as assets which require strong strategic planning and sales management to maximize financial profit and business achievement. The emphasis is on integration of marketing analysis into architectural practice and design process. The objectives are to create architecture which is responsive to the developer’s requirements and which poses minimum business risks

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AR692 Construction Management 3 credits

Factors affecting the success of project-site management, the construction process, time constraints, and the quality of finished-project are explored. The concept and principles of construction management – time management, budget control, project coordination designers and contractor selection, bidding, quality control, etc. – are covered.

AR645 Environmental Control Technology 3 credits

The course covers automatic control systems for large-scale building, including security, environment, energy conservation building management, transportation, and information systems. The emphasis is on implementation and integration of environmental technologies into architectural design. Case studies in Thailand and abroad are investigated.

IA785 Professional Laws and Regulations for Interior Architecture 3 credits

A study of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the profession of interior architecture operates. The emphasis is on understanding the ethical limits of the professional ‘s responsibility and how power and authority should be used to provide a service to the public. Use of building codes and other agreements relating to interior architecture are included.

Exhibition Design Management

IA761 Set Design 3 credits

Study and develop a working knowledge in set design topics including space planning, elevations, and materials.

IA781 Multimedia in Exhibition Design 3 credits

This course is an intense and rigorous studio in which students explore the design implications of emerging technologies and the evolving connections between technology, design, and the human experience.

IA782 Computer Graphic for Exhibition Design 3 credits

Explore information about digital computer programs for graphic design. The course introduces software tools for creating original computer graphics and techniques for exhibition presentations.

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IA783 Presentation Technique for Exhibition Design 3 credits

The planning and design of professional presentations, including drawings, quick sketch techniques, electronic media, printing systems as well as appropriate presentation techniques.

Thesis

IA800 Thesis 12 credits

Compulsory: Students are required to pass the learning modules as stated in the M.I.A. Curriculum. The thesis is a way to conduct a methodological study relevant to the selected general elective course. Students will be supervised by a research committee. Upon completion of the study, students are required to be assessed by creditworthy external examiners. Additionally, the thesis will be published as appropriate.

Independent Study

IA700 Independent Study 1 3 credits

Students conduct independent study which is subject to the approval of the interior architecture faculty. The process of presenting the research should follow appropriate research protocols dealing with topics relevant to interior architecture.

IA701 Independent Study 2 3 credits

Students conduct the research which relates to interior architecture independently under the supervision and guidance of an advisor and a committee. Students investigate the subject matter of research such as theory, methodologies, and techniques for research in interior architecture. Independent study emphasizes principles and skills for investigating ideas, framing researchable problems, and conducting independent research.

Program Development

The following illustrate the standard and educational quality indices of this program: • The quality assurance system and methods are developed

• The quality assurance committee is appointed.

• The quality assurance plan is constantly and regularly monitored.

• There is a teaching and learning evaluation every semester with a minimum score of 4 out of 5 The Faculty of Architecture and Planning is scheduled to assess the above indices every five years, the first evaluation starting 2011.